Previewing the TigersIt has been 113 years since Georgia and Auburn first met each other on the gridiron, since 1892 the two teams have met 108 times and after all those games and all those scores, if you add them all up the Tigers are ahead by just one point. The Dawgs have won more games at Auburn, the Tigers have won more games at Georgia, and this Saturday's game is a crucial as ever as both team's are in the hunt for the league championship. [more]

Select Quotes

On playing Auburn: "It's been a really tight series all the way around. And it's been a pretty even series for quite some time. We're both fighting for our lives this week, Auburn in the West and Georgia in the East. It's very important for all of us."

On the Tigers' personnel:

"You look at film hoping to find things you can attack on either side, but Auburn's a complete football team. They are outstanding in all phases of the game. It's going to be one heck of a game. I'm glad it's at home and I also feel good about it being at night. I think our fans will be even more excited about it. It will be a physical game and hopefully we can make enough plays to win it."

On D.J. Shockley:

"Right now, I think he'll be 100 percent. I think he will play and do all the things he's done. I didn't see any setbacks at practice on Monday. I didn't see him limping around or doing anything different. I feel like he'll be fine. Hopefully he can get right back in the groove."

On the return of leaders Shockley, Kedric Golston and Gerald Anderson: "They are really strong leaders. And when your leaders are playing, it's better, no doubt about it. Really, overall we're about as healthy as we've been in a long while. We've got to be ready for a physical brand of football."

On the Florida game:

"We're over the loss. We know the pressure's on if we want to get to Atlanta. I feel like once we practiced (last) Tuesday, it was good for everyone, myself included. We all felt better after that day."

On the polls:

"With the schedule we have, we need to just win ‹ period. We've got Auburn, Kentucky, Tech and if we're lucky enough to be in the SEC Championship Game, and that's enough of a chance. The only thing we can control is, can we win the East and play for the SEC? Everything after that you just hope falls in line for you. I'm thankful we're still pursuing those goals right now going into the ninth game."

Thomas Brown (tailback) on whether or not the team's intensity level
is still as high after its recent loss - "Most definitely. This team has not
given up just because of the loss to Florida."

On if the team will be watching the South Carolina/Florida game, which is
scheduled before Georgia's game and has possible implications on the SEC
Championship - "It doesn't matter to me who wins because if we keep winning, it
doesn't matter what happens to South Carolina or Florida for the rest of the
season."

Bryan McClendon (split end) on the difference it makes having D.J.
Shockley back as starting quarterback - "It makes it difficult to be able to
predict what we're going to do and it also makes them think a little more on
defense."

On Auburn - "These guys can run, they're big and fast and they love to run
around and hit people. We know we also are going to have to bring that to the
table on Saturday."

Mohamed Massaquoi (wide receiver) on Georgia having multiple rivals
within the Southeastern Conference - "Being at Georgia, there are so many
rivalries and it's like every SEC game is against a rival. That's what you come
to school here for."

Russ Tanner (center) on Auburn's defense - "Without a doubt, they have
the strongest defense we'll play. I could not imagine the other two teams we
have left being as strong as Auburn is. If we don't get off the ball quickly, it
gives their (defensive front) an edge and they are going to get to our
quarterback."

On having Shockley back in the starting lineup - "The biggest factor is the
confidence he instills in others and his unbelievable talent really helps lead
us too."

Greg Blue (safety) on having Kedric Golston back in the lineup on defense
- "He's our run-stopper, our big plug up the middle. It will be nice to have him
back leadership-wise and for his ability up front."

On how important this game is to the defense - "It's big for our defense because
our first defense has not been together in a while and we're looking forward to
getting back out there together."

On having to pull for other SEC teams in order to have a better shot of making
it to the conference championship game - "Everybody wants to play in the
(Georgia) Dome and if it means pulling for another team, then a team has to root
for the team that is going to help them get there."

DeMario Minter (cornerback) on having Kedric Golston and the rest of the
defensive line back against Auburn - "Kedric and (Gerald Anderson) make it much
easier on our linebackers. Kedric's one of our team leaders so we're really
happy about having him back. He's a leader by example and someone who never
slacks."

D.J. Shockley (quarterback) on having to watch the Florida game from the
sideline because of a knee injury - "It was very rough just sitting there while
my team was on the field. After all the doubts that this team has faced and
watching my teammates out there fighting and knowing I could not do anything."

Tony Taylor (linebacker) on playing Auburn in Sanford Stadium on Saturday
- "Auburn speaks for itself statistically. This will be our first game with
everybody back on defense and this last week we have been trying to get our
chemistry back."

--UGA Press Release

Game Notes

Auburn and Georgia renew the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry when the two teams meet Saturday in Athens... This will be the 109th meeting between the two teams, with Auburn holding a 52-48-8 edge in the series... It will also be the fifth time in the last six years that both teams will be nationally ranked entering the game...The Auburn-Georgia series is tied with Oregon-Oregon State as the seventh-most played series in the nation, with 108 previous contests...The road team has fared well in the series, as Auburn owns a winning record in Athens (17-9) while Georgia has a winning mark in Auburn (12-9-2) ... The Tigers have won nine of their last 11 games at Sanford Stadium... Auburn and Georgia are tied for the best SEC records since 2000 with records of 34-12 (.739) in conference games since 2000...Auburn has clinched its sixth consecutive winning SEC record, which is the first time the Tigers have achieved the feat since 1955-60...Georgia will clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game with a win... In games decided by three points or less, Auburn leads, 7-5-8 ... In games decided by seven points or less, Georgia leads, 21-18-8.

KEY PLAYERSQB Brandon Cox (6-2, 202, So., Trussville, Ala.)Cox is having a stellar season. Cox has thrown for more than 200 yards in seven of his eight games, and ranks third in the SEC averaging 223.8 yards passing per game... Cox's total of 342 yards passing in the season opener vs. Georgia Tech is the second-highest total in the SEC this season... His current passer rating of 138.38 would rank as the sixth best single-season mark in Auburn history.

RB Kenny Irons (5-11, 202, Jr., Dacula, Ga.)Irons ranks third in the SEC and 21st nationally averaging 102.6 yards rushing pergame... More impressively, Irons has posted those numbers despite averaging just 10.8carries during Auburn's first five games, including only one rush in the season opener vs. Georgia Tech...Irons has been a workhorse the last four weeks, totaling 605 yard son 115 rushes (151.3 ypg; 28.8 carries per game).

LB Travis Williams (6-1, 212, Sr., Columbia, S.C.)Named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 3) after the South Carolina game ...preseason All-SEC selection, is second on the squad with 46 tackles in seven games, and has added three tackles for loss including a sack, two forced fumbles and an interception.

WR Ben Obomanu (6-1, 205, Sr., Selma, Ala.)
Obomanu leads all Auburn receivers with 25 catches for 273 yards and four scores, and now has 17 receiving touchdowns for his career. Obomanu is tied with Karsten Bailey (1995-98)for second on Auburn's career touchdown receptions list.

KEY PLAYERSQB D.J. Shockley (6-1, 206, Sr., College Park, Ga.)Shockley, the SEC's top-rated passer, sprained his left knee in the 2nd quarter of the Arkansas game and missed the Florida game... He is slated to return against Auburn...Owns a 7-0 career record as a starter...Leads SEC, 11th nationally in Pass Efficiency (155.97)...First Bulldog rookie starting QB to lead his team to a 7-0 start since John Lastinger in 1982, who led Georgia to an 11-0 mark before falling to Penn. State in the Sugar Bowl....Finalist for Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award; Semifinalist for Maxwell Award

TB Thomas Brown (5-8, 177, So., Tucker, Ga.)Brown gained 73 of his yards at #8 UT by carrying the ball all nine times on a nine play drive capped by an 18-yard scamper to make it 27-7...For the last eight years, Georgia has had a different rushing leader...Thomas Brown could become the first Bulldog to end this stretch since Robert Edwards led the Bulldogs in 1996-97.

MLB Jarvis Jackson (6-2, 208, Jr., Atlanta, Ga.)Jackson returned to a starting spot versus #8 Tennessee and responded with eight tackles...Added nine tackles versus Arkansas... Jackson sustained a thumb injury viruses on Sept. 10th, had surgery Sept. 13th and returned for some action against Miss. State on Sept. 24th...Jackson ranked among the team leaders in tackles through the first two games including a career-high 10 against USC.